BRITAIN’S SUCCESS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 179, 1 August 1933, Page 5

BRITAIN’S SUCCESS

I DAVIS CUP VICTORY HARD FIGHT WITH FRANCE DECISION ON LAST SINGLES .By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) PA.RIB, July 30. Britain won the Davis Cup for the first time in twenty-one years when she defeated France by three rubbers to two. In the closing singles H. Cochet (France), defeated 11. W. Austin (Britain), 5—7, 6 —4, 4—(5, (5 —4, 6—4. F. J. Perry (Britain) defeated A. Merlin (France), 4 —6, 3 —6, 6 —2, 7 —5. In the doubles, on Saturday, J. Borotra and J. Brugnon (France) defeated G. P. Hughes and IL G. N. Lee (Britain), 6—3, B—6, 6—2. Lee replaced Perry, who collapsed in his hotel after playing Cochet on Friday, and rested in view of his final match against Ale rlin. The Roland Garros Stadium was tilled to capacity long before the start of the singles. The weather was ideal. Austin and Cochet both opened careluliy, each winning his service, but making many mistakes. The fifth game was p marathon affair with long, exciting ra.llfts. both driving splcn didly across court. Austin, after hav ing vantage point eight times, even tn ally won with a beautiful corner shot to lead 3—2. The games followed service until Austin broke through in the eleventh game and won the twelfth. The set lasted forty-three minutes. Cochet, driving and volleying with greater accuracy, won Austin’s service for a 3—l lead in the second set. Austin was erratic and Cochet, playing with a mixture of brilliant and poor shots, won the set (i—4. Cochet led 2—■() in the third set, then Austin struck his best form and with bril liant passing shots levelled at 3 all. Cochet, making errors, unsuccessfully fried to slow up the game, but Austin, who was volleying in deadly fashion, captured the set. Cochet's Recovery Austin maintained a perfect length in the fourth set, and attacking strongly led 2 —U. He continued to ■ lominatu the game but Cochet, taking cjances which came off, equalised at 4 air. Austin, early in the ninth game, appeared to have hurt his back when •u tempting to return a high lob. There alter he weakened, repeatedly finding the net. Both were feeling the strain .’i the final st. Austin was ahead, 3 —l, but Cochet won the fifth game with a beautiful smash. Austin, by lobbing, secured the sixth game for a 4 —2 lead, but the Englishman dropped service. in the seventh game, and Cochet was impassable in the eighth, volleying and smashing excellently. Austin then seemed to have lost his grip, and netted three trines in the ninth game, Cochet winning it with a grand passing shot to take the lead, s—l. The final game went to deuce three times before Austin overdrove the line and Cochet. with a line forehand drive to the coiner, won the match. The finish of the match was most dramatic. The crowd shouted and screamca as the players walked to the net to shake hands after their three hours’ duel. Merlin won the first game against Perry to love. Alerlin, realising that he had nothing to lose and everything to gain, took daring chances and led 5 —2. Perry’s repeated mistakes amazed the crowd, who cheered each winning shot. The Englishman penetrated Merlin’s service for the first time in the ninth game, but lost the tenth, hitting the ball lamely into the net. The cheering for Alerlin obviously unsettled Perry, who began the second set wildly. Aleanwhilo the English listcncrs-in were amused to hear the excited spectators’ shouts of “Vive la France!” mingled with snatches oi the “Marseillaise” interrupting the commentator’s broadcast description. Two Set Points Aleiliu led 3 —l. Perry lacked the lire he displayed against Cochet, though he regained his grip and went ah( ad -1 —3. Alerlin won the next two games for a s—l load, but lost the tenth game after having two set points. Perry then won Alerlin’s service, and the Frenchman retaliated to even at 6 all. Perry, storming the net, won the thirteenth and fourteenth games for set. Perry overcame his unsteadiness in the third set, assumed the offensive, and won the set comfortably. Alerlin won the opening game in the final set. but the Englishman was fresher than his opponent, attacked whenever pos sible. and advanced to 4 and I. The Frenchman, whose errors were unduiy numerous, rallied remarkably after a decision in his favour regarding two balls which many considered to he out. and reached 5 all while the English spectators grew glum and the French became deliiious with delight. Perry, driving across court perfectly, won the eleventh game, to love and Jed 6—5. Ho fought for every point in the twelfth game and reached advantage, lhen .Merlin hit outside ami Britain had won Hie Cup. AUSTIN SUMS UP ‘ PERRY WON THE CUP" L'iiri.A T <)!■' (. <): II i: r I-’IILST day LONDON, July 30. Writing in the Daily Express, 11. \\ . Austin says that Perry won the Cup. 'He. laid the foundations of victory >y defeating Cochet on Friday, and to lay he played under the most trying om.iitions against a brilliant begin icr, who rose to extraordinary heights vith (he crowd continually cheering his ival. Cochet paid me a compliment, Dying that he had never played bet er in his life, even against Tilden, and Hiding, ‘Before the match .1 felt an dd man; now, after playing so well, I eel good for another ten years’ tends. ’ Personally, I think I could not ;a\e played better. I consider that \lr. Koper Barrett was perfectly jus I'lied in omitting Perry from the loubles. We succeeded as a team, not is individuals. I think no country possesses two singles players such as I’erry and myself, who are more or less equal in standard.”

FIGHTING QUALITIES BRITISH PLAYERS’ TRIUMPH Received July 31, 10.20 p.m. LONDON, July 31. The Loudon Tinies in a leader says: “The return of the Davis Cup to England seemed unlikely a fortnight ago, but Austin and Perry showed extraordinary fighting qualities and proved as good as any players in the world. The. British triumph is largely due to the unfailing confidence and wise counsel of the non playing captain, the usefulness of whoso inclusion many questioned. France’s loss was due to lack of fresh players.” ” THREE MUSKETEERS” LACOSTE WARNS ENGLAND TRIBUTE TO THE WINNERS Received July 31, 11.50 p.m. PARIS, July 31. “The (’up is lost but honour is Hived,” summarises the feeling of France, where the departure of the Cup is regarded as a national event. Lucoste, speaking at the French Ten nis Federation’s dinner, warned England that (he “three musketeers’’ were united in defeat as in victory and i:iteud?d to strive to regain the Cup. Borotra said that, their were no bet ter sportsmen and no other country !•' whom France would rather have lost LAWN TENNIS IN U.S.A. ENGLISH LADIES’ SUCCESSES Rccuiied July 31. 11.50 p.m. NEW YOh'K, July 31. Miss Mary Ileeley, first ranking iiiiti.-h player, was eliminated in the piaitcr-tinal of the Maidstone invita lion tennis tourney by Mrs. Alarjorie Van Kyn, 6—l. 5 —7, 6 —4. Miss Betty Nut hall advanced to the inals, defeating Aliss \ irginia Rice (Boston), 6—3, 6—3. M isses Heolcy and Nut hall gained lhe semi-finals in the doubles with a I —6, 6 —2, 6 —2 win over Miss Cruickdiank and Mrs. Van Ryn. In the quarter finals of the doubles Hiss Maiga ret Sc riven (England), and Miss Elizabeth Ryan beat Misses Sarah Palfrey and Carolin Babcock, 5 —3, 6 —4.